The great
conglomerate body was dead, yet it pulsated with a life of its
own. Its effect of being governed by a single indwelling mind of
superhuman capacity was overpowering.
Kirk heard Mrs. Cortlandt explaining: "The ships will steam up
from the sea through the dredged channel you see over yonder, then
they will be raised to the level of the lake."
"What lake?"
"That valley"--she indicated the tropical plain between the hills,
wherein floating dredges were at work--"will be an inland sea.
Those forests will be under water."
"Where is the Gatun dam I've heard so much about?"
She pointed out a low, broad ridge or hog-back linking the hills
together.
"That is it. It doesn't look much like a dam, does it? But it is
all hand-made. Those are rock trains out there, from Culebra."
"Oh, now I understand. Gee whiz, but this job is a whopper! Say,
this is great!" Mrs. Cortlandt smiled. "It does wake up your
patriotism, doesn't it? I'm glad to have a hand in building it."
"Are you helping to dig this canal?" Anthony regarded the woman
curiously. She seemed very cool and well-dressed and independent
for one engaged in actual work.
"Of course! Even though I don't happen to run a steam-shovel."
"Will they really finish it? Won't something happen?"
"It is already dug.
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